Sunday 1/8/12 Morning Lions Links from Local Media

Official Lions Website:

After coming out strong, Lions 45-28 playoff loss is a tough pill to swallow:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/After-coming-out-strong-Lions-45-28-playoff-loss-is-a-tough-pill-to-swallow/af4c770b-e9ea-46d8-b725-f1b1d4ca310d 

After a disappointing playoff loss, these Lions are drive to get better and be back next year:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/After-a-disappointing-playoff-loss-these-Lions-are-driven-to-get-better-and-be-back-next-year/5380a5d2-f819-4f69-b2b0-6c82b49ccda5

Game notes - Lions at Saints:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Game-Notes-Lions-at-Saints/164a3be5-7e4b-4260-b6fc-c533586c624c

Four downs - an ill timed whistle, run defense, injuries and missed opportunities:  http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/01/08/four-downs-an-ill-timed-whistle-run-defense-injuries-and-missed-opportunities-2/

Detroit News:

Lions return to playoffs over in a hurry:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120107/OPINION03/201070412/1126/SPORTS0101/Bayou-bummer-Lions-return-playoffs-over-hurry

To go further, Lions front office must address defense:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120107/OPINION03/201070409/1126/SPORTS0101/To-go-further-Lions-front-office-must-address-defense 

Lions season - It's frustrating and it hurts:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120107/SPORTS0101/201070396/1126/SPORTS0101/Lions-season-over-s-frustrating-hurts-

Had early call gone Lions way, it would've been a different ball game:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120107/SPORTS0101/201070413/1126/SPORTS0101/Had-early-call-gone-Lions-way-could-ve-been-different-ballgame

Saints win 45-28; Lions go 0-6 against winning teams:  http://blogs.detroitnews.com/lions/2012/01/07/saints-win-45-28/

A look at the Lions struggles against winners:  http://blogs.detroitnews.com/lions/2012/01/07/a-look-at-the-lions-struggles-vs-winners/

Defensive breakdowns for Lions lead to a single-game playoff record:  http://blogs.detroitnews.com/lions/2012/01/08/defensive-breakdowns-for-lions-in-45-28-loss-lead-to-a-record/

Free Press:

Lions trip to big easy ends in big hurt:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/COL01/201080629/Mitch-Albom-New-Orleans-45-Detroit-28-Lions-trip-to-Big-East-ends-in-big-hurt

Lions wasted chances in loss:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120107/COL22/120107027/Michael-Rosenberg-Lions-wasted-chances-in-loss-to-Saints

Current Lions don't have '99 problems:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/COL22/201080589/Michael-Rosenberg-Current-Lions-don-t-have-99-problems

NO 45 Lions 28 - After first half surge, Lions falter:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/SPORTS01/201080624/New-Orleans-45-Detroit-28-After-first-half-surge-Lions-falter

This off-season, Lions only need tweaks:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/SPORTS01/201080569/Dave-Birkett-This-off-season-Lions-only-need-tweaks

Fun while it lasted -- 16.5 games:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/SPORTS01/201080620/Lions-ticker-Fun-while-it-lasted-16-1-2-games

On IR, Erik Coleman wishes he could play:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/SPORTS01/201080525/On-IR-Coleman-sure-wishes-he-could-get-in-the-game

Lions notes and quotes from loss to Saints:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/SPORTS01/201080626/Lions-notes-and-quotes-from-Saturday-s-loss-to-the-Saints

NO 45 Lions 28 - Lions one and done:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120107/SPORTS01/120107025/New-Orleans-45-Detroit-Lions-28-Lions-one-and-done-after-loss-in-New-Orleans

Backus suffers bicep injury in loss:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120107/SPORTS01/120108003/Lions-Jeff-Backus-suffers-bicep-injury-playoff-loss

Decked out in Honolulu blue, fans endure heckling:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120108/SPORTS01/201080596/Lions-ticker-Decked-out-in-Honolulu-blue-fans-endure-heckling

Oakland Press:

Ultimately the brillance of Calvin Johnson and Stafford was trumped by the Lions shoddy defense:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/01/08/sports/doc4f09357c1a50c611789109.txt

Caputo's thoughts after first quarter:  http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/2012/01/thoughts-after-1-quarter-lions-saints.html

Caputo's thoughts at halftime:  http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/2012/01/thoughts-halftime-lions-saints.html

Caputo's thoughts after 3rd quarter:  http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/2012/01/thoughts-after-3-quarters-lions-saints.html

Foxsports Detroit:

Lions defense blown away by Brees, Saints:  http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/01/07/12/Lions-defense-blown-away-by-Brees-Saints/landing_lions.html?blockID=641912&feedID=3701

Lions Gab:

Common themes - Poor officiating and missed opportunities doom Lions:  http://www.lionsgab.com/2012/01/08/common-themes-poor-officiating-and-missed-opportunities-doom-lions/

Detroit Examiner:

Lions lose to Saints in return to playoffs:  http://www.examiner.com/detroit-lions-in-detroit/detroit-lions-lose-to-saints-return-to-playoffs